Joint fitting for a vehicle seat with a forward tiltable seat back

Abstract

A joint fitting for a vehicle seat with a forward tiltable seat back. The joint fitting has a first fitting part, a second fitting part and a pivot joint pivotally joining these two fitting parts. A locking cam is hinged to the first fitting part and is pivotal about a cam axle, the locking cam has a first end region located in proximity to the cam axle and a second end region. A locking bight is configured on the second fitting part and is provided with a first locking side and with a facing second locking side, the distance between these locking sides matching the distance between the two end regions. An actuation device acts on the locking cam at a distance from the cam axle so that the locking cam may be moved from a locking position into a release position. In the locking position, the first end region of the locking cam abuts on the first locking side and the second end region of the locking cam abuts on the second locking side.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A joint fitting for a vehicle seat said vehicle seat having a forward tiltable seat back, the joint fitting being provided with a first fitting part, a second fitting part and a pivot joint having a hinge axle, said pivot joint pivotally joining the first fitting part and the second fitting part, the joint fitting further comprising: 
       a locking cam pivotally hinged to the first fitting part about a cam axle and having a first end region located in proximity to the cam axle and a second end region located opposite to the first end region;  
       a locking bight configured on the second fitting part and provided with a first locking side and with a second locking side facing the first locking side, the distance between the locking sides matching the distance between the two end regions; and  
       an actuation device acting on the locking cam at a distance from the cam axle for moving the locking cam from a locking position in which the joint fitting is blocked into a release position,  
       wherein, in the locking position, the first end region of the locking cam abuts on the first locking side, and the second end region of the locking cam abuts on the second locking side, and  
       wherein a circle defined with the pivot joint at its center and passing through the cam axle intersects the first locking side, the second locking side being inside the circle.  
     
     
       2. The joint fitting according to  claim 1 , wherein a torsion spring is provided and is arranged between the locking cam and the first joint part, the torsion spring biasing the locking cam relative to the first fitting part in a direction of rotation counter to the direction of rotation when the seat back is being tipped forward. 
     
     
       3. The joint fitting according to  claim 1 , wherein the first locking side is oriented along a straight line passing through the cam axle. 
     
     
       4. The joint fitting according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuation device is provided with a control part which is hinged to the second fitting part, is connected to a traction means and has a release arm which presses the locking cam from the locking position into a release position when the traction means is actuated. 
     
     
       5. The joint fitting according to  claim 4 , wherein a pivot spring is allocated to the control part, the pivot spring elastically biasing the control part in a position in which the control part is located outside of the locking bight. 
     
     
       6. The joint fitting according to  claim 4 , wherein the traction means is a Bowden cable. 
     
     
       7. The joint fitting according to  claim 4 , wherein the control part is further provided with a retaining lug that engages, in a position of rest of the control part, behind a blocking face of the locking cam. 
     
     
       8. The joint fitting according to  claim 7 , wherein the locking cam is located between a safety piece and the first fitting part when the locking cam is in the locking position. 
     
     
       9. The joint fitting according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking cam is provided with at least one safety piece that is located beside the second fitting part when the locking cam is in the locking position. 
     
     
       10. The joint fitting according to  claim 1 , wherein the first fitting part is connected to a seat carrier and wherein the second is connected with a carrier of the seat back. 
     
     
       11. The joint fitting according to  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle seat has two s at sides and wherein one joint fitting is provided on each seat side, the two joint fittings being motion-linked together by a driver unit. 
     
     
       12. The joint fitting according to  claim 1 , wherein an arc of a circle having the hinge axle for center and passing through the cam axle intersects the first locking side and passes outside of the second locking side. 
     
     
       13. The joint fitting according to  claim 1 , wherein the first locking side is oriented along a straight line passing through the hinge axle.